Chapter 4 Reunion with an Old Friend

  The old man's eyebrows were furrowed, and the young man in front of him was weak in words, but his tone was gentle, yet carried a subtle intimidating power, as if he didn't care about his own identity. He was also a clever person, knowing that those who could reach Jiangnan Spring were not ordinary people, and looking at the several guards behind me, they were all masters with a calm demeanor and cold eyes, saying: "What you said makes sense, I wonder what your name is."

  I smiled slightly and nodded to the guard beside me, who loudly announced: "This is Jiang Zhe, the newly appointed Sima of the Tian Strategy Command under the command of Prince Yong."

  The old man's body shook, the Sima of Tian Ce Fu, that was one of the top civil officials under Prince Yong. He bowed and said: "Humble citizen *Yuan, offended Sima sir, please forgive me."

  I said calmly: 'Ignorance is no excuse, who is that yellow-robed scholar, how dare he frame me.'

  The old man said with a sigh, "This person's surname is Xia, his name is Xia Jinyi, and his nickname in the Jianghu is Wind Liu Langzi. He was once a disciple of Kongtong, but because of his behavior, he was expelled from the sect. However, since he hadn't committed any major crimes, his martial arts weren't abolished. This person came to my mansion recently, hoping to join the Guanzhong League. I saw that although this person is somewhat frivolous, he also has a heart to serve the great Yong, so I took him in. Unexpectedly, this person is shameless and daring, not only did he flirt with young girls, but he also stole their belongings. Originally, it was just going to be a matter of sending someone to capture him, but unexpectedly, today we met again here, and he used his cunning to deceive me once more, resulting in offending Your Excellency."

  I nodded thoughtfully and said, "Lord Lian, please do as you wish. This person is so presumptuous that if I catch him, I will definitely send him to Lord Lian's hands for disposal."

  Yuan Xi Dao: 'Thank you so much, sir.'

  Returning to the room, I looked at Chen Yin and Han Wuji, and suddenly laughed lightly: 'I didn't expect someone to cheat even me.'

  Xiao Shunzi asked: 'Young master really wants to catch him?'

  I smiled and said, "Not bad, we must catch him, but don't hurt him. I want to use this person, Xiao Shunzi, do you have a way to catch him without letting others know? This is a bit difficult, if it doesn't work out, it's okay, I'll have other methods."

  Xiao Shunzi smiled and said: "Young master, don't worry. Just now I protected you without moving him, but I used the Soul-chasing Incense on him."

  I looked at Chen Yin, and Chen Yin said: "Don't worry, sir. We've all brought the tracking devices with us. I don't know where you plan to meet him."

  I thought to myself: 'Think of a way to secretly send him here, remember not to leave any traces. I'll come see him tomorrow, remember, no one can know about it. You guys knock him out and put him in a box to bring over.'

  Chen Dan said: "Don't worry, young master. We can take care of half the work here and there will be no trace left."

  On the way back to the mansion, I was thinking about the feasibility of the plan in my heart, and the more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Sitting in the carriage, I was repeatedly thinking, when suddenly the carriage stopped abruptly, and my body leaned forward, fortunately Xiao Shunzi supported me, so I didn't hit anything. At this time, a report came from outside the car: "Sir, a man rushed into the carriage, this person suddenly rushed out of the alley, startling the horse, but this person has already fainted. Hmm, sir, there is a child on his back, and a knife wound on his chest."

  At this time, the sound of sword clashes came from afar. Before long, someone reported back: "Sir, several people have been chased out and killed. We caught two, but one escaped." I said in a deep voice: "Bring the person back, ask them in detail, and let me know the result."

  "Yes." A respectful answer came from outside the car.

  I smiled and said: "No wonder people like wealth and honor, who doesn't like it when they are forbidden."

  Xiao Shunzi said in a low voice: 'Do you want me to go and take a look?'

  I shook my head and said: 'No need, it should have nothing to do with us, let the people of Yong Wang Fu go check.'

  The next morning, the guard who protected me yesterday came in to report that the person we rescued had woken up, but was badly injured and might not live for long. The man claimed his name was Han Zhang, but refused to say anything else. I looked at Xiao Shunzi suspiciously, could it be the Han Zhang I knew? Xiao Shunzi went out and came back a moment later, telling me calmly that it was indeed the Han Zhang who was my guard in Shu State.

  I rushed to the place where Han Zhang was recuperating, and in a tidy room, Han Zhang lay on the bed with a pale face. I walked up and pressed his wrist pulse, then took it down soon after. He had already reached the end of his tether. I shook my head gently, stuffed a pill into his mouth, and gradually, his complexion turned rosy again. He opened his eyes, saw me, and his eyes sparkled with spirit. Sitting beside him, I said calmly: "Brother Han, we met too late. You must have been piling injury upon injury these days without resting properly. I'm already powerless to help you. Why did you end up like this? Is there any last wish? Tell me, and I'll do my best for the sake of our acquaintance."

  Xiao Shunzi gestured for others to leave and stood behind me, staring coldly at Han Zhang.

  Han Zhang said: "Lord Jiang, I didn't expect to see you here. Have you defected to Da Yong?"

  I smiled slightly and said, 'After the Southern Chu followed the Shu Kingdom's defeat, although it can rise again in the future, at most it will only be barely hanging on. Indeed, I have already surrendered to King Yong.'

  Han Zhang sighed and said: "Alright, alright, the great prosperity of Dayong, those people are short-sighted and have no chance of success. My lord, my mother-in-law and wife are all dead, I beg you to take care of my daughter for old times' sake, let her grow up safely."

  My expression changed and I said: 'What happened? Tell me, otherwise how can I explain to your daughter in the future.'

  His eyes became distant, and he said: "After leaving the adults, Han Zhang did not farm again. I was originally a Qingcheng disciple, practiced martial arts, and had national grievances and family hatreds, so I joined the underground force Jinxiu Alliance to resist Daxiong. However, the guardian of Shu, Lu Houye, was cunning, and we repeatedly lost battles. Later, they went crazy and started brutally killing civilians in Shu, saying that those who refused to rebel against Nan Chu and Daxiong were traitors. In the end, they found out about my past in the Nan Chu army, so they wanted to execute me. I tried to explain myself, but it was useless. I could only escape with my daughter. I thought my wife, as the daughter of General Tian and the cousin of the alliance leader, would not be harmed. But later, I caught one of the pursuers and he told me that my wife had died a terrible death. The alliance leader was originally her fiancé, but she eloped and married me instead. He deliberately wanted to kill me, and my wife was killed by him in anger. My mother-in-law hanged herself. Sir, you once advised me to return to the countryside and live a peaceful life, but I didn't listen, which led to this outcome."

  Looking at Han Zhang's desolate expression, I said calmly: "When you cried bitterly in the middle of the night, I knew you wouldn't be able to stay out of it alone. However, as a Shu person, there was no way for me to advise you not to go back and reclaim your country. From your standpoint, you were not wrong; it's just that you chose the wrong companions. Don't worry, your enemies won't have a good ending."

  Han Zhang's eyes became fervent, and he said: "Sir, please take care of my daughter. Don't tell her all this. I don't want her to be entangled in national hatred and family enmity for the rest of her life. I hope she can marry and have children peacefully."

  I whispered: 'Go and bring his daughter.'

  Xiao Shunzi went out for a while and came back, carrying a little girl who was over one year old. The little girl giggled "ah ah" and stretched out her hands to her father, wanting him to hold her. Her delicate and lovely face had a pair of big, shiny eyes that were as clear as spring water. I saw Han Zhang's expression become excited, but he couldn't sit up, so he reached out and took the little girl in his arms, unable to resist kissing her face. The little girl suddenly called out "Daddy!" and grabbed at my headscarf with her small hands. I looked at her joyfully and said: "Han brother, your daughter is very smart and also very lovely."

  Han Zhang didn't know where he got the strength from, but he actually sat up and knelt on the bed, begging: 'Sir, I know it's too much to ask of you, please take in this child and take good care of her.'

  I was taken aback, about to refuse, but looking at the child's beautiful features, I suddenly couldn't say no. Thinking that if not for Fei Xiang's death, our child might be this big too, my heart softened. I said: "I'm alone, with no wife or children. If Brother Han doesn't mind, this child can be my adopted daughter. I will treat her like my own flesh and blood. Brother Han, what is the child's name?"

  Han Zhang's eyes welled up with tears as he said in a low voice, "Sir, Han Zhang was originally an orphan. This surname is also something I obtained from my master. If you're not disgusted by it, please treat this child as your own flesh and blood, and don't tell her about her origins."

  I glanced at Han Zhang, through those eyes filled with unbearable pain, and saw his deep love for his daughter and his overwhelming regret. I said calmly: "Alright, my wife, Liu Shi, has passed away in misfortune, but this child, I will tell her that she is my biological daughter, and her name will be Jiang Roulan."

  Han Zhang said with gratitude: 'Thank you, sir. Be careful, sir. The master of the Brocade Alliance, Huo Jicheng, is ruthless and cunning.'

  After finishing speaking, Han Zhang closed his eyes and fell silent. At this time, Roulan was still stretching out her hands towards her father, asking to be hugged. I held her in my arms, a tear falling to the ground, how many such tragic things would happen again in the midst of war? At this moment, Roulan burst into loud wails, as if she also knew that her father had left this world.

  I summoned the eunuch, Constant Grace, to arrange for Han Zhang's funeral and also find a wet nurse and some capable maidservants to attend to Roulan. I handed Roulan over to the maid and decided to go interrogate the two captured culprits. Since they had pursued and killed Han Zhang, they must be connected to the Brocade Alliance. How could I not get to the bottom of this when they dared to be so brazen in Chang'an?

  In the dark dungeon of the Yong Wang Fu, I walked along the bluestone corridor under the leadership of the jailer. The thick wooden doors on both sides had only a small window at a height of about one person, equipped with fine steel bars. At the end of the corridor was an interrogation room. Walking down the stairs, I saw two short but sturdy men being firmly fixed to the wall with cowhide and iron chains. There were no wounds on their bodies, apparently no one had used torture on them. I nodded in satisfaction. If they had been tortured randomly, it would have reduced the effect. It seemed that the Yong Wang Fu was very cautious. I looked around and saw several torture instruments placed around, although not many, but all stained with blood, making the interrogation room immediately exude a gloomy and terrifying atmosphere.

  I took a look at the two men, and as for torture, I've actually done quite some research on it. In order to deal with Liang Wan, I had previously looked up all the books I could find, and I gained quite a bit from it. It made me realize that the most important thing in using torture is to destroy a person's willpower, only then can you do as you please.

  I glanced around the room at the dozen or so jailers and a clerk, and smiled: "Bring him over." I pointed to a man, two jailers stepped forward, expertly unshackling him, then twisting his arms behind his back and binding them with ox sinew. Their technique was smooth, leaving the man no chance to resist. The man was dragged before me, one of the jailers grasping his hair, forcing him to lift his head so I could get a good look at his face. His features were actually quite regular, but his expression was sullen and resentful. Xiaoshunzi gestured for them to bring over a chair, and had me sit down in it. I smiled: "So you're the bandits who ambushed my carriage?"

  The man's eyes flashed and he said: "Your Excellency, I didn't crash into your carriage, it was your guard who forcibly seized me."

  I said calmly: "That father and daughter, were they the ones you were chasing after? If it weren't for you, how would someone have rushed into the carriage and caused an accident? Speak up, who are you people? If you don't explain yourselves clearly, don't think about leaving this place alive. But if you confess honestly, I'll just send you to the Prefect of Beijing to be punished."

  That man's expression changed, and he thought that even if he were to be taken to the capital governor's office, although he would have killed someone, at most he would be sentenced to death in autumn, and there might still be a chance to escape from prison. He said with a mournful voice: 'I am just a commoner who plotted to rob and kill, I didn't expect to run into your lordship's carriage.'

  I neither say I believe nor disbelieve, and casually took down a hairpin from my hair. This hairpin was obtained by Chen Yin and others from the secret chamber of the merchant association when I ordered the elimination of the traitorous merchant association last time. Although it is only a hairpin, this hairpin is made of iron gallbladder from the heavenly fallen meteorite, extremely sharp, even the hardest diamond can be pierced with one stab. However, the hairpin is too small and has no use for ordinary martial arts masters. Xiao Shunzi can use steel needles as weapons, but he is very proud and unwilling to use other weapons except his hands. In the end, I kept this hairpin, who knows when it will come in handy? Now, I can use this hairpin as a golden needle for acupuncture, just a bit thicker, perfect for torture.

  I smiled and asked: 'Are you willing to surrender?'

  The man nodded repeatedly, and I said calmly: "No torture is needed. I never believe in anyone's confession." After that, my hairpin lightly pricked the man's body a few times, and he suddenly changed color, his face turning pale and red, his body trembling violently. If it weren't for the two prison guards holding him tightly, he would have probably collapsed to the ground. What was even more frightening was that he couldn't make a sound, only sweat pouring down his forehead like rain. He lifted his head, his eyes filled with pleading, but I looked at him calmly and elegantly, as if there wasn't someone struggling in front of me. The key to torture is to attack the heart. If I let him off lightly and gave him a warning, he would be afraid that if he dared to lie, I would make him suffer an even more brutal punishment, and he would believe that I could do it.

  After a moment, I saw that his consciousness was gradually becoming unclear. With a light wave of his hand, the hairpin pierced into the man's body. The man's body gradually relaxed, and he let out a low moan from his mouth. It couldn't be blamed on him; after the pain had been alleviated, his body extremely relaxed, and the sound that was previously suppressed was finally released. I ordered the prison guard to bring over cold water and carefully pour it into Han's throat. His consciousness cleared up, and upon seeing me, his eyes revealed an uncontrollable fear.

  I smiled and said: "Alright, now what you say should be somewhat believable. May I ask, sir, what is your surname and full name, where are you from, and why are you pursuing that father and daughter?"

  That fellow Qiu said: 'I, a humble man, was originally from Shu. After the fall of Shu, our land fell into the hands of Southern Chu, and Lu Xun's tyranny forced me to flee to Dayong. Without any savings, I resorted to plotting for wealth and harming lives. These are indeed the words of a petty person; I beg you, great sir, to discern clearly.'

  I took a look at Xiao Shunzi and said calmly: 'Is this person's confession reliable?'

  Xiao Shunzi said calmly: 'I think it's unreliable.'

  I smiled and said: "How should I put it? He looks very honest to me, he shouldn't want to suffer even more severe torture."

  Xiao Shunzi said respectfully: "Young master, this person's clothes are all made in Dayong, it seems that he has been in Dayong for a long time. He has over 1,000 taels of silver on him, if he is willing to be content with his circumstances, he can live a carefree life. But the father and daughter don't even have ten taels of silver between them, how could they be motivated by greed and dare to commit murder in broad daylight in Dayong? It's really too arrogant. Without a powerful backer, I wouldn't believe it even if I were beaten to death."

  I smiled, a warm smile, and looked at the man with a satisfied gaze, saying: 'Good, if he confesses honestly, I think it's not interesting.'

  Everyone, including the prison guard, looked at the handsome and elegant young man. His gentle smile, however, sent a chill down everyone's spine, and they all thought to themselves: "So he deliberately wanted to use torture, he never intended to get a confession."

  Then the hairpin in my hand stabbed into Qiu Xing's body again, and his body began to shrink and convulse. This time, the two jailers could hardly control him. I looked at him for a while, then said, "Let's have some tea." Seeing me speak, the man who had been full of hope flashed a desperate light in his eyes. Xiao Shunzi looked at him with an expression that seemed to be sympathetic, hesitated, and said, "Young master, the tribute tea newly sent by the palace will take some time to brew." This time, Qiu Xing, who was full of hope, directly fainted.

  My hairpin once again pierced into Qiu Xing's body. After being splashed with cold water, Qiu Xing looked at me with a dazed expression. I said calmly: "It doesn't matter, go get the tea set and boil some water to make tea here. Before you're done, I'll try out a few new acupuncture techniques."

  Qiu Xing could no longer bear it, and with a loud wail of pain, he flung himself at my chair. The two jailers held him fast, but he cried out: "Your Honor, spare my life! I am willing to confess everything! I am the killer of the Brocade Alliance! Please spare my life, Your Honor, and I will confess to anything!"

  I gave him a faint glance and said discontentedly: 'You're willing to confess everything, how can you be so spineless.'

  "Mercy, great lord! I am willing to confess. Please stop the torture!"

  I lazily shook my head and said, "Take him to the room next door and make him confess. If he conceals or prevaricates, send him back. Bring in the other one."

  Seeing my excited expression, another man who had been frightened out of his wits cried out in a mournful voice: 'Xiao Ren Shang Wei is willing to confess.'

  I shook my head and said: "No way, if you don't receive some punishment, wouldn't that be too unfair?"

  "This is Xiao Shunzi's voice entering my ears: 'Young master, you're going a bit too far. Don't you see the gaze of those prison guards? They already think you're a cruel and evil demon.'"

  I smiled slightly and said with a double meaning: "It's okay, while waiting for his confession, I can try your endurance first. If you listen to me, I'll use fewer needles at most. Let's do this, after his confession comes out, I'll ask you again. If you can find any loopholes in it, I'll let you go. But if not, I'll have to torture you. Now, please enjoy the little dish first." After that, the hairpin was inserted into Shang Wei's body.

  Two hours later, I walked out of the prison cell with a sense of satisfaction, leaving behind a group of terrified and admiring jailers and two Jinxiu Meng killers who were left with only half their lives.